An arts scheme commissioned to celebrate the Olympics has changed its name to prevent a breach of strict copyright rules covering the Games.

Birmingham-based Stan’s Cafe had originally planned to label its project Olympian Steps, but it was changed at the last-minute to Golden Steps to avoid a row with London 2012 bosses who are clamping down on unauthorised use of terms associated with the Games.

London 2012 organiser LOCOG has issued strict guidelines to prevent use of words linked to the Olympics without permission. Olympian is on a list of words outlawed from being used to describe events not officially sanctioned.

Jewellery Quarter-based Stan’s Cafe had been specially commissioned by London borough Camden Council to produce the project featuring footsteps painted on pavements linking London’s Euston Station with the St Pancras terminus of the Javelin train, which speeds passengers to the Olympic Park.

Similar projects were installed in Birmingham’s Handsworth and Aston parks earlier this year without complaint.

A spokesman for Stan’s Cafe said: “We think Golden Steps is a better name after all because it symbolises the medal-winning achievements. We just didn’t want to go through all the hassle of trying to get permission to use Olympian so we changed the name to avoid any problems.”

LOCOG said they were not aware of the project and had not been approached by Stan’s Cafe or commissioners of the work for permission to use any Olympic branding.